
Daphne - From the painting by Deverial.
According to
Greek myth Apollo chased the
nymph 'Daphne' (
Greek: Δάφνη, meaning "
laurel"), daughter either of
Peneus and
Creusa, or of
Ladon. His infatuation was caused by an arrow from
Eros, who was jealous because Apollo had made fun of his archery skills. Eros also claimed to be irritated by Apollo's singing. Daphne prayed to the river god
Peneus to help her and he transformed her into a laurel tree (
Laurus nobilis), which became sacred to Apollo. See
Ovid. ''
Metamorphoses''. Book I: 452-567, and
Apollo and Daphne.
See also
★
Shapeshifting
★
EglÄ— the Queen of Serpents
★ ''
Dafne'', an opera by
Jacopo Peri
External links
★
Apollo and Daphne - statue by
Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Daphne chased by Apollo by Tiepolo.